On 10th October, the University of Trieste joins the World Mental Health Day, promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH). The 2025 edition focuses on mental health in humanitarian emergencies and, in particular, on access to services for people affected by crises and disasters.

According to the latest WHO data, almost one in seven people worldwide (around 1.1 billion) live with a mental disorder. Anxiety and depression are among the most common diagnoses. Despite the existence of effective prevention and treatment interventions, many people still do not receive adequate support and face stigma and discrimination. In this context, the University of Trieste reaffirms its commitment to promoting awareness, equitable access and early prevention.

The University’s contribution
To mark the Day, on Thursday 10th October in Pordenone, the Regional Congress of the Italian Society of Psychiatry – Friuli Venezia Giulia Section (SIP) will take place, focusing on the relationship between mental illness and addiction. The University of Trieste will be represented by Umberto Albert, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Head of the Psychiatric Clinic of the local health authority ASUGI, and regional president of SIP.

‘The frequent comorbidity between psychiatric disorders and addiction is of growing importance, particularly among young people,’ explains Albert, who teaches in the Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences. ‘The onset of psychiatric disorders, their clinical presentation and treatment outcomes can be profoundly influenced by substance use, including new psychoactive substances. For this reason, mental health and addiction professionals are called to adopt integrated and coordinated care models based on the concept of dual diagnosis, thereby overcoming the traditional separation between pathways and services.’